Appraisal Letter Generator

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Appraisal Letter

Dear ,

We are pleased to inform you that, based on your performance appraisal for the review period, the management of has approved a revision in your compensation and designation.

In recognition of your dedication, consistent performance, and valuable contributions to the organization, the following revisions have been approved:

Your current designation of has been revised to . Your current annual CTC of has been revised to . These changes shall take effect from .

This appraisal has been determined on the basis of your individual performance, your contribution to team objectives, and the overall assessment provided by your reporting manager, . The management acknowledges and appreciates the effort and commitment you have demonstrated during the review period.

The revised compensation structure, including the updated breakdown of basic salary, allowances, statutory deductions, and other applicable components, will be reflected in your payroll with effect from the aforementioned date. A detailed compensation annexure is enclosed for your reference.

Please note that all other terms and conditions of your employment, as stated in your original appointment letter and subsequent amendments, shall remain unchanged and in full force unless explicitly communicated otherwise.

We trust that you will continue to uphold the highest standards of professional excellence and make meaningful contributions to the growth and success of . The organization values your commitment and looks forward to your continued association.

We wish you all the very best in your revised role and encourage you to continue striving for excellence.

Sincerely,

Accepted by,

An appraisal letter is an HR formal letter that informs an employee regarding their salary revisions and performance appraisal. The appraisal letter is also known as a Salary Increment Letter, Pay Raise Notification, and Performance Appraisal Letter.

The appraisal letter includes the revised CTC amount, the percentage of the increment, and the effective date, and often acknowledges the employee's contributions for the period under review.

A good appraisal letter motivates employees, reduces turnover, and ensures the connection between performance and reward.

Get your own professionally written Salary Increment Letter with Hyring's Free Appraisal Letter Generator!

What to Include in an Appraisal Letter

Start with a recognition of the contribution of the employee towards his/her performance. Mention particular accomplishments achieved by the employee, projects completed, etc.

The compensation revision section should include:

  • Comparison between the previous and revised CTC
  • Increment percentage and effective date
  • Updated salary structure details (salary, HRA, special allowance, etc.)
  • Variable pay details, any change in stock options, or ESOPs

If there is a promotion mentioned in the appraisal letter, clearly mention details about the new designation and the new reporting structure.

Finally, conclude with future expectations and goals for the next review period.

Types of Appraisal Letters

Annual appraisal letter: Written at the end of the yearly appraisal cycle based on employee performance and budget considerations. It is the most common type.

Performance-based increment letter: Written outside the normal cycle in recognition of outstanding performance or completion of a project. It is an effective retention tool.

Promotion letter with increment: Includes the element of promotion along with salary increment. The increment will be greater than usual.

Retention-based appraisal: Issued to prevent valued employees from leaving, often in response to a competing offer.

Steps to Draft an Appraisal Letter

  1. Include the employee name, designation, and department.
  2. Specify the old CTC, new CTC, increment rate, and the start date.
  3. Add performance details to make the letter personalized.
  4. Elucidate the changed designations and other benefits.
  5. Download in PDF or DOCX formats. Free and no registration required.

Best Practices

Maintain a positive and appreciative tone. Begin with genuine praise before stating the figures. Do not use vague statements; make your letter personal.

Ensure you have provided all the information about the employee's new cost-to-company package.

It is important to send the letter immediately after announcing the decision about appraisals. Preferably, have a face-to-face discussion with the employee first, followed by the letter.

Timing is very important because late delivery of the appraisal letter will make the employee anxious.

Frequently  Asked  Questions

What is an appraisal letter?

An appraisal letter, also known as a salary increment letter or performance review letter, is a formal HR document that communicates a salary revision and performance recognition to an employee. It details the revised compensation, increment percentage, and effective date, and often includes acknowledgment of the employee's contributions during the review period.

What should an appraisal letter include?

An appraisal letter should include the employee's name and current designation, performance acknowledgment, previous and revised CTC with detailed salary break-up, increment percentage, effective date, any designation or role changes, updated benefits, and future performance expectations. It should be presented on the official company letterhead.

What is the difference between an appraisal letter and a promotion letter?

An appraisal letter communicates a salary increment based on a performance review, while a promotion letter confirms elevation to a higher designation with increased responsibilities. A promotion letter typically includes both a role change and a salary revision, whereas an appraisal letter may only involve a compensation change without a change in designation.

When are appraisal letters typically issued?

Appraisal letters are most commonly issued during the annual performance review cycle, typically at the start of a new financial year (April in India, January in many other countries). They can also be issued mid-year for exceptional performance, retention purposes, or upon completion of a significant project or milestone.

How is a salary increment percentage calculated?

Salary increment percentages are determined by factors including individual performance ratings, department budget allocation, market benchmarking data, industry standards, inflation rates, and the employee's current compensation relative to the pay band. Typical annual increments range from 5% to 15%, while high performers or promotions may receive 20% or more.

Is an appraisal letter legally binding?

The appraisal letter is an official company letter that acts as evidence of the revised salary structure. The employer has a responsibility to honor the new salary once the letter is issued and accepted. The letter acts as proof of the revised salary and may be used to apply for loans or negotiate for future salary increases.

How do I personalize this appraisal letter?

Click anywhere on any of the blue text areas in order to edit them directly in your web browser. Insert the name of the recipient, their old salary, revised salary, percentage of increment, and effective date of the increment. Select Formal or Friendly version and download your personalized letter in PDF or DOCX formats.

Can I download this appraisal letter for free?

Yes, this appraisal letter generator is completely free to use and download. Customize with your organization's details and export as PDF, DOCX, or copy to Google Docs, no sign-up required.

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Written by

Adithyan RK

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CEO & Co-founder, Hyring

18+ years of experience

Adithyan RK is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hyring, an AI-native recruitment platform that has run over 900,000 AI interviews for companies ranging from early-stage startups to the Fortune 500. He has spent 18 years building technology businesses, starting with a digital consultancy in 2008 and a staff augmentation firm in 2017, before founding Hyring in 2022 to rebuild hiring around evidence instead of guesswork.

Expertise

AI RecruitmentAI InterviewsRecruitment AutomationHR TechnologyHiring AnalyticsApplicant TrackingRecruiter Operations

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CTO & Co-founder, Hyring

6+ years of experience

Surya N is the Co-Founder and CTO of Hyring, where he architected the AI interviewing engine that has now conducted over 900,000 interviews for companies ranging from early-stage startups to the Fortune 500. A mechanical engineer who moved into artificial intelligence, he spent 6 years building AI applications inside a technology consultancy before co-founding Hyring, and wrote the first version of its AI interviewer from scratch: a system that listens, adapts its questioning in real time, and flags fraud rather than following a fixed script.

Expertise

AI Interview SystemsConversational AIInterview Fraud DetectionPlatform ArchitectureMachine Learning EngineeringApplied AISpeech and Voice AIBias Testing and Model Evaluation
Published on: 25 Mar 2026Last updated: 16 Oct 2026
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